The former director of two Agricultural commodity groups has been sentenced to probation for stealing more than $110,000.

And if he doesn't get into trouble for the next two years, Lance Hagen could have the felony convictions wiped from his record.

Hagen is the former head of the North Dakota Grain Growers Association, and the U.S. durum Growers Association.

He was dismissed from both jobs last year, after admitting that he had taken money to play the commodities market. Hagen and the grain groups say he paid back all the nearly $113,000 that was missing.

Today in Bismarck Hagen pleaded guilty to two charges of misapplication of entrusted property. They're felonies, each carrying a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

But District Judge Robert Wefald deferred sentencing Hagen for two years, and assigned him to probation. Hagen will have to pay about $800 in fines, and also pay a regular fee to fund his probation expenses.

The deferred sentence means that if Hagen follows his probation the convictions may be wiped from his record. | save this article / add to your favorites list